COVID-19: France implements curfew in 9 provinces starting Saturday
The curfew will be re-enforced in nine provinces in France, affecting 18 million people. -Picture file / AP PARIS: A curfew will be re-enforced in nine provinces in France. President Emmanuel Macron announced the order will take effect this Saturday until December 1. Macron explained that residents in the affected areas are not allowed to leave the house from 9 pm to 6 am. "We need to act to curb the spread of this virus. First, to protect others, as well as ourselves as well ... to protect the elderly, the most at risk. That is the first objective. "Second, we need to protect the country's health system, our health workers," Macron said. Areas subject to curfew include Paris, Grenoble, Lyon, Toulouse and Montpellier. This measure will affect 18 million people. To date, one-third of all intensive care units in France are used to treat COVID-19 patients. France is currently facing a new wave of COVID-19 cases with 22,591 new cases recorded on Wednesday.